[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/BBwjC6T.png[/img][/center][hr]The reactions of the Magical Girls were commendable and nothing short of expectation for their powers. Even from the brunt of a surprise attack, Ayaka was able to quickly react and send counter spells to give herself protection. The metal rods were caught in her barrier, twitching in midair but gaining steady build and number as if desperately trying to smash right through her defenses. However, just as she disappeared, so too did their force cancel out. With momentum lost, they fell lifelessly now that their target was gone, dropping to the ground like metal beams.

Indeed, the attack halted completely when Ayaka removed herself from the outside battlefield, revealing some liege of intelligence possessed by the attacking force. The fact it aimed for her, the supporter who watched from outside the office building, spoke levels to this theory. All the same, if the Pageless were aware of the new presence, they didn’t much act on that fact. They continued to attack like the mindless monsters they were, only to be thwarted one by one.

Now the humans were being put back into the building, albeit the first floor, a testament to how even the outside area was no longer safe. With the union of two Magical Girls, their area of sight and surroundings expanded rapidly thanks to Ayaka and Yuri. The gas and Yuri’s butterflies did wonders in doing just that and indeed, there was magical energy afoot. A disturbance rippled along Ayaka’s clairvoyant gas but it was difficult to make out completely.

Likewise, Yuri’s butterflies would catch the hints of movement as well though they came in such rapid fashion and ferocity that it almost appeared like a blur. Be it Pageless or something other, there was a new force at place that was much too fast for their detection to pick up. But something was there, drawing their attention, perhaps even distracting them with their presence as the Pageless continued their dark work. It was hard to read intent for an unseen enemy, though not for long as more of the metal rods suddenly pierced through the magical gas aimed straight for Yuri and Ayaka each.
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